Gas liquid tower structure

ABSTRACT

A tower structure for gas-liquid interaction produces rolling turbulence in a gas flow path that has low pressure drop. The structure includes a spaced plurality of vertically disposed wall members in an upwardly directed flow path, a staggered array of horizontally extending deflectors protruding from facing wall members, forming a series of converging and diverging chamber portions in which the gas flows generally perpendicular to the deflectors. Rolling turbulence is produced between apexes of the deflectors and the facing wall portions, the gas flow being offset toward opposite wall members at succeeding apexes. In one configuration, a liquid is transported within the gas flow, in contact with the gas. In anothor configuration, the liquid is separate from the gas. In a further configuration, two liquid paths are provided, one in contact with the gas, one separate from the gas. In the configurations transporting a liquid not in contact with the gas, the deflector members are hollow for passing the liquid in close proximity to the gas. A supply manifold delivers the liquid into the uppermost deflector member, the liquid flowing between opposite side members of the wall members into each of the deflector members of a wall members, exiting from the lowermost deflector member of the wall member, being collected therefrom by an outlet manifold for recirculation. The structure provides a variety of cooling tower, condensing tower, heat exchanger, and scrubber configurations, alone and in combination, in a family of compatible modules.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to gas liquid tower structures, includingcooling towers, scrubbers, heat exchangers, condensers, chemical processtowers and the like.

One aspect of the present invention relates to gas liquid contactapparatus wherein a large surface area of the liquid is presented fordirect contact with the gas for mixing therewith, thereby cooling eitherthe liquid or the gas, changing the moisture content of the gas,removing impurities from the gas, etc.

In gas liquid contact apparatus of the prior art, the liquid isdistributed by spray nozzles or channels into a chamber which may beopen or have fill therein for retarding the flow of the liquid andenhancing the contact between the gas and the liquid.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to structures for gasliquid interaction wherein the liquid is maintained separate from thegas, as in heat exchangers and condensers. In these structures, a heatexchange medium having high thermal conductivity is interposed betweenthe liquid and the gas. Typically, the liquid is fed through a metalconduit that is exposed to the gas, the conduit being commonly equippedwith fins or the like for presenting a large surface area of heatexchange medium to the gas.

It is also often required or desirable for there to be at least twoliquid transport systems in the apparatus, a first liquid contacting thegas and a second liquid, which may include a portion of gaseous phase,separated from the gas, heat being transferred between the gas and thesecond liquid for heating or cooling the second liquid.

Many tower structures of the prior art are undesirably large, heavy,expensive to build, transport and operate in relation to the outputcapacity thereof, for at least some of the following reasons:

1. They have a large complex fill structure that includes manycomplicated parts that require a great quantity of material and aredifficult to assemble.

2. They produce an uneven distribution of gas flow caused by"channeling" wherein gas flow stagnates in regions of high dropletconcentration and/or unequal pressure distribution in parallel gaspaths.

3. They have uneven distribution of liquid flow caused by clogging, poordimensional control of liquid passages, and/or series pressure dropsbetween parallel-connected orifices.

4. They produce poor mixing resulting from large liquid droplet sizesand/or low levels of turbulence of the gas and/or the liquid.

5. They have high blower or fan power requirements caused byrestrictions to gas flow.

6. They utilize structural components that are unsuitable for varianttower configurations, resulting in high-setup and/or inventory costs.

Thus there is a need for a tower structure that provides a compact,light weight tower apparatus for gas liquid interaction that isinexpensive to build, transport, and upright, and is easy to use.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a tower structure that meets thisneed by producing a desired level of rolling turbulence in a gas flowpath that has low pressure drop. In one configuration, the structureincludes a plurality of spaced parallel wall members in a chamber, astaggered array of parallel deflector members protruding from facingwall members for producing the rolling turbulence. The space between thefacing wall members is in the form of a series of converging anddiverging chamber portions wherein the gas flows generally perpendicularto the deflectors. A diverging chamber portion has an inlet that isoffset laterally toward one of the wall members, and a convergingchamber portion that is fed directly by the diverging chamber portionhas an outlet that is offset laterally toward the other wall member. Thestructure also includes means for transporting a fluid through thechamber for the interaction with the gas. The deflector members canpreferably have a first surface for forming one side of a convergingchamber portion and a second surface for forming one side of a divergingchamber portion, the first and second surfaces joining at a deflectorapex having an included angle within the deflector member of less than180°. Preferably the included angle is between about 60° and about 135°for providing an advantageous combination of high turbulence and lowpressure drop. More preferably, the angle is about 90°.

The deflector members can be polygonal in cross-section, one side beingcoplanar with its wall member. In a preferred configuration, thedeflector members are triangular, with two sides extending and formingthe first and second surfaces. The apex of one deflector member can belocated approximately opposite the intersection of the first surface andthe wall member segment of a facing deflector member.

At least some of the deflector members can be hollow for transportingthe fluid, which is normally a liquid, but which can have a portion ofgaseous phase, in close proximity to the gas without contacting the gas,for conducting heat between the gas and the fluid. Thus, depending onoperating conditions, the fluid can be either heated or cooled by thegas. Preferably a wall member of the structure includes spaced sidemembers forming a cavity in communication with at least two hollowdeflector members for permitting the fluid flow within the wall memberbetween the deflector members. Thus there is no requirement for a bulkyliquid interconnection system at the ends of the deflector members.Instead, liquid conduits can be connected to the deflector membersupstream and downstream of the wall members for providing an efficient,compact tower structure. In this configuration, it is preferred that thehollow deflector members be formed as part of a corresponding sidemember of its wall member. Thus the single pair of the side membersforms a wall member together with its compliment of deflector members,including the cavity for feeding the fluid between the deflectormembers. This configuration provides a further advantage in thatessentially all of the side member area is in direct contact with thegas on one side and the liquid on the other for efficient heat transferbetween the gas and the liquid.

The structure can have spacing means between facing wall members forpreventing separation of the side members under liquid pressure withinthe wall members. The spacer means can be a plurality of parallel webmembers positioned perpendicular to the wall members and the deflectormembers. The web members can provide enhanced heat conduction betweenthe liquid and the gas by presenting additional surface area to the gasand a low thermal resistance to at least one of the wall side members.

In another configuration of the present invention, a first liquid passesbetween the wall members for contacting the gas, advantageouslycombining high turbulence of the liquid for effective mixing and lowpressure drop in the gas. The wall members are preferably vertical, thestructure being adapted for upward gas flow between the wall members,and the liquid is introduced proximate the tops of the wall members fordownward flow toward the bottoms of the wall members. The upward gasflow impedes the downward progress of the liquid, inducing a high levelof rolling turbulence in the liquid for mixing with the gas. In thisconfiguration, the web members, in addition to spacing the wall members,prevent lateral migration of the gas between the wall members. Thisavoids "channeling" wherein the gas, seeking a path of least resistanceis blocked by the liquid in regions of slightly increased gas flowresistance, a large proportion of the gas moving freely in the otherregions, depleting the liquid concentration in those regions.

In another important configuration of the present invention, each wallmember has alternating horizontally extending segments that are inclinedon opposite sides of vertical, parallel with corresponding segments offacing wall members, and with the deflector members at junctions of thesegments and having front and back sides, the front sides including thefirst and second surfaces, the back sides forming concave transitionsurfaces between adjacent segments of the wall members. The firstsurface of each deflector member can be concavely curved, the secondsurface being a planar extension of the wall member segment to which itis joined. Also, the diverging chamber portions can be formed betweenthe second surfaces and the transition surfaces of facing deflectormembers.

In this configuration, the transition surfaces of the deflector memberspreferably have a radius of curvature approximately equal to thedistance between the adjoining segments and the corresponding segmentsof the facing wall member. This conveniently and effectively provides asmoothly expanding path for the gas in the diverging chamber portions.Preferably the transition surface of one deflector directly connects thefirst surface of the deflector on an adjacent wall member segment, sothat the gas flows directly from a diverging chamber portion into thenext succeeding converging chamber portion. This advantageously providesa very compact arrangement wherein a large number of the deflectormembers are in a small volume of the chamber for effective gas liquidinteraction with minimal resistance to gas flow.

In a further configuration, the first liquid can pass between the wallmembers for contacting the gas, and another fluid, normally a liquid,but which may have a portion of gaseous phase, circulates through thehollow deflector members for interaction with the gas without contactingthe gas as described above. In this configuration, the structure canhave a chamber with an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas abovethe inlet, a parallel vertically disposed spaced plurality of wallmembers in the chamber with a staggered array of horizontally extendingdeflector members protruding therefrom for producing rolling turbulencein the gas, means for transporting a first liquid downwardly between thewall members for contacting the gas, the deflector members being hollowfor transporting a second liquid proximate the gas but not in contactwith the gas for heat transfer between the gas and the second liquid.The transporting means, which is equipped with the means fordistributing a sheet of liquid onto the wall member from manifold meansas described above, preferably incorporates a parallel grid structure ofthe manifold means for evenly distributing a first liquid along thelength of the wall members.

The present invention provides a tower structure that has improvedperformance for a given size of structure. Conversely, for a given levelof performance, a smaller structure is possible. This results in reducedcosts for fabricating, shipping, and providing an installationenvironment for the tower. Moreover, a family of structures suitable formany different applications can be based on a limited variety ofcomponent parts.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a gas liquid towerstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of the structure ofFIG. 1 within region 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the structure ofFIG. 1 on line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view as in FIG. 3 showingan alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational diagram corresponding to FIG. 3showing another alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational diagram as in FIG. 5 showing anotheralternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational diagram as in FIG. 5 showing a furtheralternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of the structure ofFIG. 1 within region 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of the structure ofFIG. 1 within region 9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of the structureof FIG. 1 within region 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of an alternativeconfiguration of the tower structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of anotheralternative configuration of the tower structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of an alternativeconfiguration of the structure of FIG. 1 within region 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective elevational view of an alternativeconfiguration of the structure of FIG. 11 within region 14 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective diagram showing an alternative configuration ofthe structure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective diagram showing another alternativeconfiguration of the structure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional elevational view of another configuration of thestructure of FIG. 1 on line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional elevational diagram showing an alternativeconfiguration of the structure of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a versatile gas liquid towerstructure that provides significant advantages in a variety of systemconfigurations. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a tower structure 10includes a modular, segmented housing 12 having opposite side walls 14and end walls 16. The gas flows within the housing 12 for interactionwith at least one other fluid which is normally a liquid but can includea second gas. A principal feature of the present invention is a gasliquid interaction unit 18, forming an interaction chamber 20 in asegment of the housing 12. The interaction chamber 20 is open at its topand bottom, having opposite side segments 22 and end segments 24 thatform corresponding portions of the side walls 14 and the end walls 16.The interaction unit 18 includes a spaced parallel array of wall members26, the wall members 26 having deflector members 28 thereon forproducing a desired degree of turbulence in a flow of gas within theinteraction chamber 20. More importantly, the combination of the wallmembers 26 and the deflector members 28 provide a high degree ofturbulence in a liquid that is introduced between the wall members 26 asfurther described below.

The wall members 26 are oriented vertically, being uniformly spacedbetween the side segments 22, and extending between the end segments 24.The deflector members 28 form a staggered array on the wall members 26,each deflector member 26 extending horizontally between the end segments24. The bottoms of the wall members 26 are supported and spaced apart bya pair of horizontally disposed Z-shaped members 30, each Z-shapedmember 30 being fastened to one of the end segments 24 proximate thebottom thereof, opposite ends of the Z-shaped members 30 extending tothe respective side segments 22.

The structure 10 is adapted for moving the gas generally upwardly in thehousing 12, the bottom of the interaction unit 13 functioning as achamber entrance and the top of the interaction unit functioning as achamber exit for the gas. Essentially all of the gas passes through thechamber 20 between the wall members 26 generally perpendicular to thedeflector members 28. As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the wall members26, together with the deflector members 28, form a series of convergingchamber portions 32 and diverging chamber portions 34. The deflectormembers 28 are typically polygonal in cross-section, with one side lyingin the plane of the associated wall member 26. Thus one side of thepolygonal cross-section of a deflector member 28 can be considered as asegment 39 of the associated wall member 26 from which the deflectormember 28 extends. It should be understood that the generalconfiguration of the wall members 26 (without the deflection members 28)can be other than planar. They can be generally curved vertically,horizontally, or both, as long as the area perpendicular to the flow ofgas between each pair of facing wall members, not including thedeflector members, in a gross sense, is substantially uniform from thebottom to the top of the wall members. This is because the average gasflow velocity in each series pair of the chamber portions 32 and 34should be uniform for effective utilization of each of the deflectormembers 28 in the gas liquid interaction.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the deflector members 28 aretriangular in cross-section, one side thereof extending upwardly andoutwardly from the wall member 26, forming a first surface 36. Anotherside of the deflector member 28 extends downwardly and outwardly fromthe wall member 26, forming a second surface 38, the second surface 38intersecting the first surface 36 at an apex 40, forming an apex angle Athat is less than 180°. The first surface 36 also forms an angle B withthe wall member 26, the angle B representing the deviation from anupward extension of the wall member 26 below the first surface 36.Typically, angle B is about one-third the magnitude of angle A forcausing a high level of turbulence proximate the apex A while producingminimal resistance to gas flow. The segment 39 forms the third side ofthe triangular cross-section. It should be understood that although thesegment 39 is shown aligned with the wall member 26 below the firstsurface 36 of the deflector member 28, it is not required to be. Adifferent relationship is produced when the wall member 26 is curved orsegmented, as described above.

The staggered array of the deflector members 28 is obtained by havingthe wall members 26 in two configurations, a first configuration 42having uppermost deflector members 28 on opposite sides thereof, theuppermost deflector members 28 being located vertically above thehighest deflector members 28 of the wall members 26 of a secondconfiguration 44. The wall members 26 of the second configuration 44also have deflector members 28 on opposite sides thereof, except that apair of outside wall members 46 of the second configuration 44, havingdeflector members 28 on one side only, extend upwardly from the Z-shapedmembers 30 in contact with the side segments 22 of the interaction unit18. Although any number of the deflector members 28 can be located onone side of a wall member 26, it is generally preferred that there beseveral of the deflector members 28, spaced at uniform intervals in thedirection of gas flow. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, there are three of thedeflector members 28 on each side of the wall members 26 of the firstconfiguration 42. Also, there are two of the deflector members 28 oneach side of the wall members 26 of the second configuration 44. Aplurality of wall spacers or web members 48 are interposed between thewall members 26 at spaced intervals for holding the wall members 26 inspaced alignment, and for other purposes described below.

Preferably the apex 40 of a deflector member 28 is located proximate theintersection of the first surface 36 and the wall member segment 39 of afacing wall member 26, when the wall members 26 have the configurationshown in FIG. 3. Thus the converging chamber portions 32, formed betweenthe first surface 36 and a facing wall member 26, extend upwardly to theapex 40, the space between the apex 40 and the facing wall membersfunctioning as an outlet of the converging chamber portion 32 and ainlet of an adjacent diverging chamber portion 34, the diverging chamberportion 34 being formed between the second surface 38 above the apex 40and the lower portion of the first surface of a facing deflector member28. The diverging chamber portion 34 feeds another of the convergingchamber portions 32, the space between the wall members 26 and the apex40 of the deflector member 28 on the facing wall member 26 functioningas another of the outlets, the outlets being alternately displacedtoward opposite sides of the chamber portions 32 and 34. Thus theconverging and diverging chamber portions 32 and 34 of the presentinvention advantageously provide a rolling gas turbulence with minimalrestriction to the flow of gas. This is because the staggeredarrangement of the converging and diverging chamber portions produces arolling turbulence, alternately rotating in opposite directions onopposite sides of each apex 40. This characteristic of the gas flowpattern is particularly advantageous in gas fluid contact interactionapplications, further described herein.

As also shown in FIG. 3, a conduit 50 is connected to each of the wallmembers 26 of the first configuration 42 for introducing a liquid to betransported within the interaction unit 18 in contact with the gas. Eachconduit 50, as a lower part thereof, includes a V-shaped member 52located proximate the tops of the wall members 26, the V-shaped members52 including a slot 54 at the bottom thereof, the slot 54 extendingsubstantially the entire length of the associated wall member 26 forproducing a sheet of the liquid along each side of the wall member 26,opposite sides of the slot 54 being spaced away from the wall member 26by a predetermined distance for producing a corresponding thickness ofthe flowing sheet of liquid along the wall member 26. A plurality ofspacer clips 56, extending from opposite sides of the slot 54 over thetops of the wall members 26, are spaced apart along the wall members 26for maintaining a desired clearance for the liquid. The conduits 50extend upwardly from the V-shaped portions 52, and are fed by a pair oftubular manifolds 58. The manifolds 58, protruding opposite sides ofeach conduit 50, extend across the interaction unit 18 to proximate theside segments 22. A plurality of flanged manifold fittings 60 isfastened to the outside of the interaction unit 18 for supporting bothends of each manifold 58, the fittings 60 having a cone-shaped extension62 protruding the side segment 22 for supporting and connecting themanifolds 58.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the present invention provides a highlyeffective interaction between the liquid and the gas. The flow of thegas generally corresponds to the upwardly directed arrows above thedesignation A in the space adjacent the outside wall member 46, and isgenerally duplicated in the space between each of the facing pairs ofthe wall members 26. For clarity, the rollingly turbulent flow patternof the gas above the designation A is simplified in the drawing foremphasizing the upward flow of the gas. Also, when the gas and theliquid flow in opposite directions between the wall members 26, eachsubstantially impedes the flow of the other. Thus for a given powersetting of a blower or other means for producing the gas flow, the gasflow rate increases when the liquid flow is stopped. Conversely, for agiven gas flow rate corresponding to what is achieved during liquidflow, there is a reduced level of gas flow turbulence in the absence ofthe liquid.

In the absence of gas flow, the liquid follows generally the path of thedownwardly directed arrows above the designation B in FIG. 3, flowingfrom the slot 54 of the conduit 50 on the surface of the wall member 26,downwardly and outwardly toward the apex 40 of the uppermost deflectormember 28, falling in the space between the wall members 26 andimpinging on the next highest deflector member 28 of the facing wallmember 26. The liquid continues to fall from the apex of each succeedingdeflector member 28 to the next lower deflector member on the oppositewall member 26, until the liquid falls to the bottom of the interactionunit 18. For this purpose, each deflector member 28 extends from itswall member 26 approximately half the spacing between the wall members26. When there is both liquid and gas flow, a high level of rollingturbulence is induced in the liquid, the path of the liquid beinggenerally as shown by the arrows above the designation C in FIG. 3. Theliquid flows downwardly on the wall member 26 from the slot 54 to theapex 40 of the first deflector member 28 as described above. At thispoint, however, the liquid, encountering a relatively high velocitystream of the gas at the apex 40, is broken up into a very largemultiplicity of tiny droplets and is carried upwardly in the gas stream,the deflector member 28 producing a high level of rolling turbulence inthe liquid proximate the apex 40 such that the liquid droplets arethoroughly mixed with the gas, presenting a very large surface of theliquid to the gas. In the triangular configuration of the deflectormembers 28 shown in FIG. 3, the apex angle A is preferably between about60° and about 135° for producing a violent encounter between the liquidfalling from the deflector member 28 in line with the second surface 38,and the gas moving upwardly in substantially laminar flow along thefirst surface 36. More preferably, the angle A is about 90° forproviding a maximum velocity difference between the liquid and the gasat the apex 40 without producing aerodynamic drag hindering the progressof the liquid downwardly on the second surface 38. This can beunderstood by considering the first surface 36 as shielding the liquidon the second surface 38 from high velocity gas flow. Thus the liquidflow is not impeded until it leaves the second surface 38 of the apex40. In this preferred configuration, the angle B can be about 30°.Rolling turbulence in an opposite direction is also produced in theliquid below the apex 40, some of the liquid droplets being carrieddownwardly thereby toward the next lower apex 40.

Typically, the liquid droplets vary in size, the larger droplets beingcarried downwardly at least in part under the influence of gravity.These larger droplets impinge on the next lower deflector member 28,being broken up into smaller droplets as the liquid again encounters arelatively high velocity stream of the gas at the next lower apex 40.This process continues until any of the liquid that is not evaporated iseither carried upwardly from the interaction unit in the form of verytiny droplets or it falls into the gas stream entering the interactionunit 18 from below. The turbulence in the liquid greatly reduces therate of progress of the liquid downwardly toward the bottoms of the wallmembers 26, presenting the liquid in contact with the gas for asubstantial period of time.

As thus described, the tower structure 10 of the present inventionfunctions as a cooling tower, the gas cooling the liquid. A relativelyhigh flow rate of the liquid is normally maintained, only a small partbeing evaporated in the gas. Accordingly, most of the liquid falls tothe bottom of the interaction unit 18, having been cooled by contactwith the gas and by the heat that is required to vaporize the rest ofthe liquid. When it is desired to cool the gas, a relatively lower flowrate of a cool liquid is typically maintained, a larger percentage ofthe liquid being evaporated.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the present invention provides alternativeconfigurations of the interaction unit 18. As shown diagrammatically inFIG. 5-7, one or more of the surfaces of the deflector members 28 can becurved. In FIG. 5, each deflector member 28 has a first surface 66, thefirst surface 66 being concave downwardly and extending upwardly fromtangent the wall member 26 outwardly to the apex 40. A second curvedsurface 68 of the deflector member 28 extends tangent the wall member 26downwardly and outwardly to the apex 40, the second surface 68 alsobeing concave. The apex 40 has a sharp, blade configuration, thesurfaces 66 and 68 extending proximately perpendicular to the wallmembers 26 at the apex 40. In this configuration, a very high level ofturbulence is created in a small region along each of the apexes 40, aslong as the distance between the apex 40 is sufficiently close to thefacing wall member 26, enhancing the tendency of the liquid to breakinto tiny droplets at each apex 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the apex angle Arepresents a limting angle between the first surface 66 and the secondsurface 68 at the apex 40. The angle B represents the limiting angulardeviation between the wall member 26 below the deflector member 28 andthe first surface 66 at the apex 40.

In another alternative configuration of the interaction unit 18, shownin FIG. 6, a second surface 70 of the deflector members 28 extends atright angles to the wall members 26.

Another alternative configuration of the wall members 26 is showndiagrammatically in FIG. 7. The wall members 26 are configured as aseries of relatively thin curved segments. The apexes 40 are formed atthe intersection of adjacent curved segments of the wall members 26. Thespace between the wall members 26 form an alternating series ofconverging chamber portions 72 and diverging chamber portions 74. Eachconverging chamber portion 72 has an outlet at an associated apex 40,the outlet functioning as an inlet for the immediately adjacentdiverging chamber portion 74. In this configuration, maximum turbulenceis generated proximate the apexes 40, with a minimum resistance to flowin the space between the successive apexes. This configuration isadvantageous in critical scrubbing applications involving hazardousmaterials such as radioactive particles in the gas.

With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, another important configuration ofthe wall members 26 has alternating horizontally extending segments 202that are inclined on opposite sides of the generally verticalorientation of the wall membrs 26. The segments 202 are oriented inparallel with corresponding segments 202 of facing wall members 26, thenormal distance between the segments 202 being designated as spacing Sin FIG. 17, the segments also having a thickness T, and a length L inthe direction of gas flow along segments 202. The deflector members 28are at junctions of the segments 202, each having a front side 204 and aback side 206, the front sides 204 including the first and secondsurfaces, designated first surface 208 ad second surface 210, an apex212 being formed along a line joining the surfaces 208 and 210. The backside 206 of each deflector member 28 is formed to provide a concavetransition surface 214 that is tangent to adjacent segments 202 of thewall members 26. The first surface 208 of each deflector member 28 isconcavely curved, tangentially joining the segment 202 for minimalresistance to gas flow. The second surface 210 is a planar extension ofthe segment 202 to which it is joined, extending a distance X beyond theplane of the adjoining segment 202.

The converging chamber portions 32 are formed between the first surfaces208 of a deflector member 28 and the facing wall segment 202. Thediverging chamber portions 34 are formed between the second surfaces 210of a deflector member 28 and the transition surfaces 214 of facingdeflector members 28. The transition surfaces 214 of the deflectormembers 28 can be circularly curved, having a concave radius R1 as shownin FIG. 17. The first surfaces 208 of the deflector members 28 can alsobe circularly curved, having a radius R2, also shown in FIG. 17. It isto be understood that these surfaces do not have to be circularlycurved. They are generally cylindrical in curvature, being generated bya straight line segment that moves parallel to a fixed horizontalreference.

As shown in FIG. 17, the apex angle A is a limiting angle between asegment 202 and the first surface 208 at the apex 212. The angle betweenthe first surface 208 at the apex 212 and the adjoining segment 202 isdesignated angle B in FIG. 17. Also, the angular deviation betweenadjoining segments 202 is designated angle C. As depicted approximatelyto scale in FIG. 17, an exemplary embodiment of this configuration hasthe segments 202 of length L=about 2.0 inches, spacing S=about 0.5 inch,and thickness T=about 0.040 inch. The angle C is about 90°, thealternating segments 202 being each oriented about 45° from vertical.The apex 212 is located a throat distance Y=0.375 inch from the facingsegment 202. The radius R1 is about 0.5 inch and R2 is about 1.5 inches.Also, the angle A is about 63° and angle B is about 27°.

In this configuration, the radius of curvature R1 of the transistionsurfaces 214 of the deflector members 28 is preferably approximatelyequal to the spacing S between the adjoining segments 202 and thecorresponding segments 202 of the facing wall member 26. Thisconveniently and effectively provides a smoothly expanding path for thegas in the diverging chamber portions.

As shown in FIG. 18, the transition surface 214 of one deflector 28directly connects the first surface 208 of the deflector member 28 on anadjacent wall member segment 202, so that the gas flows directly from adiverging chamber portion 34 into the next succeeding converging chamberportion 32. This advantageously provides a very compact arrangementwherein a large number of the deflector members 28 are in a small volumeof the chamber 20 for effective gas liquid interaction with minimalresistance to gas flow.

The wall members 26 can be formed from a wide variety of materials,including formed thermosetting urethane, vacuum formed or injectionmolded PVC, sheet steel or aluminum having a protective surfacetreatment such as passivation or a protective coating.

In a further and particularly important configuration of the presentinvention, shown in FIG. 4, at least some of the deflector members 28are hollow for transporting a fluid proximate the gas without contactingthe gas. When the fluid and the gas are at different temperatures, heatflows through the deflector members 28, effecting thermal interactionbetween the gas and the fluid. The wall members 26 each include a pairof spaced apart side members 76, preferably made from a thin sheetmaterial for efficient heat transfer between the liquid and the gas. Theside members 76 are formed to incorporate the hollow deflector members28. Thus the fluid can move within the wall members 26 from deflectormember to deflector member in a direction generally paralleling thedirection of gas flow. In an exemplary configuration, the liquidproceeds from an inlet manifold 78, through an inlet tube 80 and intothe wall member 26 at the upper most of the deflector members 28. Theuppermost deflector members 28, being aligned on opposite sides of thewall member 26, provide a generously sized chamber for receiving theliquid from the inlet tube 80. The inlet tube 80 is curved for bypassingthe conduit 50 that feeds the wall members 26 of the first configuration42. Additional inlet tubes 82, not being curved, feed the wall members26 of the second configuration 44. The inlet tubes 80 are curved at bothends for permitting the inlet tubes 80 and 82 to be connected at uniformintervals along the inlet manifold 78. Similary, the liquid is collectedfrom the bottoms of the wall members 26 by an outlet manifold 84, theoutlet manifold 84 being connected to the lowermost of the deflectormembers 28 by individual outlet tubes 86 and 88. Since no counterpartsof the conduit 50 are located at the bottoms of the wall members 26, theoutlet tubes 86 and 88 are straight, differing in length only, theoutlet tubes 86 connecting the wall members 26 of the firstconfiguration 42, the outlet tubes 88 connecting the wall members 26 ofthe second configuration 44. It should be understood that the directionof fluid flow in the wall members 26 can be reversed. Indeed, in someapplications it is preferred to have the fluid flow upwardly in the wallmembers 26, in the same direction as the gas flow.

The configuration of the interaction unit 18 shown in FIG. 4 has avariety of uses. In an exemplary condenser application, the fluid thatis circulated within the wall members 26 is the fluid to be condensed.The fluid that is introduced between the wall members 26 from theconduits 50 can be a cooling liquids, such as water. In anotherapplication, the gas is a hot gas, such as the exhaust of a combustionprocess, and the liquid within the wall members 26 is heated by the gas.Thus the present invention provides an effective heat exchanger for aboiler or industrial hot water heater.

The side members 76 are preferably fabricated from a thin materialhaving high heat transfer characteristics, such as copper.Alternatively, where corrosion would be encountered, the side memberscan be fabricated from corrosion-resistant steel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interaction unit 18 is located immediately abovea diffusion unit 90, the diffusion unit 90 promoting an evendistribution of gas flow in the interaction unit 18, and collectingliquid that falls from the bottom of the interaction unit 18. Thediffusion unit 90, more clearly shown in FIG. 8, forms another module ofthe housing 12, having opposiste side segments 92 forming part of theside walls 14 and end segments 94. A parallel array of collectiontroughs 96 are spaced between the end segments 94, each of the troughsextending from one of the side segments 92 to proximate the oppositeside segment 92, being connected to a discharge manifold 98 that isattached to the inside of one end wall 16 of the housing 12. The troughs96 are thus oriented crosswise to the wall members 26 of the interactionunit 18, thereby avoiding a need to consider coordinating the spacing ofthe channels 100 with the spacing of the wall members 26. A plurality ofvertically oriented channels 100 for the gas are thus formed in thespaces between the troughs 96. The troughs 96 are V-shaped on the bottomfor presenting minimal resistance to chamber 160 is effective inremoving fly-ash that may be present in the gas.

In another alternative configuration of the tower 10 for scrubberapplications, a diffusion unit 170, shown in FIG. 14, replaces the rainchamber 160. The diffusion chamber 170 has a downwardly sloping gasinlet 172 at one side thereof, the gas inlet 172 being fed from theblower means 120. The bottom of the diffusion chamber 170 forms a tank174 for collecting the liquid from the interaction unit 18, the tank 174having a drain 176 for connecting to the contact liquid path 106,described above. A perforate diffusion panel 178 extends across thediffusion chamber 170 from proximate the top of the gas inlet 172,downwardly sloping toward the opposite side of the diffusion chamber170, the diffusion panel 178 having a vertically depending flange 180,the flange 180 being spaced away from the side of the diffusion chamber170 and normally extending below the level of the liquid in the tank.

A positive pressure of the gas is produced in the diffusion chamber 170below the diffusion panel 178 by the blower means 120, causing localizedhigh velocity upward gas flow through the perforations thereof. Thefalling liquid interacts with the upwardly flowing gas, breaking theliquid into small droplets and mixing the liquid with the gas above thediffusion plate 178, the high velocity gas flow upward preventingdownward passage of the liquid through the perforations of the diffusionplate 178. The liquid that does not evaporate in the gas graduallymigrates laterally and downwardly toward the flange 180, falling fromthere into the tank 174. The liquid, thus separated from the gas, upwardflow of the gas within the channels 100. Also, the bottoms of thetroughs 96 slope slightly downwardly toward the discharge manifold 98for draining the liquid into the manifold 98. A comb panel 101 forms apart of the discharge manifold, sealingly connecting the troughs 96 forpreventing the gas from entering the manifold 98 from the channels 100.The comb panel 101 slopes upwardly toward the side segment 92 forpermitting the tops of the channels 100 to extend substantially the fulldistance between the side segments 92.

A sloping screen strip 102, formed of a perforated sheet material,extends lengthwise over each of the channels 100 for deflecting thefalling liquid laterally from the channels 100 into the troughs 96. Asshown in FIG. 8, the screen strips 102 have inverted V-shaped lateralcross sections for symmetrically deflecting the liquid to opposite sidesof the channels 100. The screen strips 102 provide a localized highvelocity gas flow that prevents the liquid from falling downwardlythrough the openings of the screen strips 102; the strips 102 alsoprovide an evenly distributed flow of the gas into the interaction unit18 by providing localized restrictions that tend to choke off excessivelocal gas flow velocities. Further, the screen strips 102 tend to breakthe falling liquid into a multitude of tiny droplets that mix with andinteract with the gas in addition to the interaction that is produced bythe interaction unit 18. The perforations of the screen strips 102 canbe from about 0.06 inch to about 0.18 inch in diameter, and aretypically about 0.12 inch in diameter. Preferably the screen strips 102have a free opening approximately equal to the plan opening area of thechannels 100. This advantageously provides only a slight restriction togas flow based on the edge effects of the individual perforations. Thusan additional purpose for the inverted V-shaped cross-sectional shapesof the screen strips 102 is that the total surface area of the screenstrips 102 is thus substantially greater than the plan cross-sectionalarea of the channels 100 for allowing the desired amount of free openingarea. A discharge outlet 104 is connected from the discharge manifold 98through the adjacent side segment 92. From the outlet 104, the liquidcirculates in a contact liquid path, schematically designated as 106 inFIG. 1, to a contact liquid feeder 108 that is connected to each of themanifold fittings 60, providing the contact liquid to the conduit 50through the manifolds 58 as described above. The contact liquid path 106conventionally provides pumping, filtration, and monitoring of thecontact liquid as well as replenishing that portion thereof that is lostto the gas by evaporation.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 9, a deflection unit 110 forms a modularpart of the housing 12 under the diffusion unit 90. The deflection unit110 has opposite side segments 112 corresponding to the side walls 14 ofthe housing, and end segments 114 corresponding the to the end walls 16of the housing 12. One of the side segments 112 extends laterallyoutwardly from the housing 12, forming a horizontal inlet chamber 116having an inlet 118 for blower means 120, the blower means 120 beingdepicted in FIG. 1 as a downwardly directed blower 122 and an elbow duct124 connected between the blower 122 and the inlet 118. Within thehorizontal inlet chamber 116 are a plurality of vertically orientedspreader vanes for horizontally spreading the flow of gas from the inlet118 into the housing 12. The spreader vanes 126 extend from the inlet118, where they are relatively closely spaced horizontally. The spreadervanes 126 extend across the horizontal inlet chamber, ending proximatethe plane of the side wall l14, the vanes 126 diverging from the inlet18 for spreading the gas flow horizontally uniformly between the endsegments 114 of the deflection unit 110. The space between the endsegments 114 of the deflection unit 110 functions as a deflectionchamber wherein the gas is redirected from a horizontal flow directionto a upwardly vertical flow direction. For this purpose, a plurality ofhorizontally disposed deflection vanes 128 extend between the oppositeend segments 114. The deflection vanes 128 are concave upwardly, beingspaced approximately uniformly on a downwardly sloping line 129, theline 129 extending from proximate the top of the horizontal inletchamber 116 to the bottom of the opposite side segment 112.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the housing 12 includes a rinse unit 130when the structure 10 is used for scrubbing impurities from the gas.When the present invention is used for scrubbing the gas, the contactliquid preferably includes a soap-like material for producing a largemultiplicity of bubbles within the interaction unit 18, the bubblesproviding an extremely large surface area in addition to the area of thesmall liquid droplets that are produced in the contact liquid asdescribed above, thereby facilitating the removal of impurities from thegas. A soap-like material suitable for this purpose is a general purposecleaner, designated LOC, that is available from Amway Corp., Ada, Mich.In this application, a small amount of the contact liquid including someof the soap-like material, along with impurities from the gas, iscarried upwardly as mist from the interaction unit 18. A rinse liquidsuch as clear water is circulated in the rinse unit 130 for preventingthe soap-lke material and the impurities from escaping the structure 10.

The rinse unit 130 forms another module of the housing 12, havingopposite side segments 132 corresponding to the side wall 14, and endsegments 134 corresponding to the end walls 16 of the housing 12. A pairof rinse panels 136 extend inwardly and slightly downwardly from theside segments 132, emptying into a rinse drain 138 that extends betweenthe end segments 134. A rinse conduit 140 extends along each sidesegment 132 immediately above the respective rinse panel 136 forintroducing a sheet of the rinse liquid to the rinse panels 136. Forthis purpose, a rinse slot 142 is formed between the top of each rinsepanel 136 and a wall edge portion of the rinse conduit 140. Each rinsepanel 136 is perforated with a multiplicity of small holes except forthe portions thereof located close to the rinse conduits 140. Thus therinse liquid, flowing from the rinse slots 142, becomes increasinglyuniform in thickness in the space between the rinse conduit 140 and theperforate region of the rinse panels 136.

The gas flowing upwardly in the rinse unit 130, produces a localizedhigh velocity, turbulent flow pattern above the rinse panels 136 byvirtue of passing through the small perforations. The rinse liquid,encountering this high velocity, turbulent flow, is broken up into amultitute of small droplets, mixing with the gas, and absorbing the mistthat rises from the interaction unit 18. The soap-like material and theimpurities are thus carried into the rinse drain 138 and circulated in aconventional rinse liquid path 146 to a rinse feeder 148, the rinsefeeder 148 being connected to the rinse conduits 140 through a pluralityof rinse fittings 149. The rinse liquid path 146 includes conventionalfilter means, pump means, and means for replenishing the rinse liquidthat is lost to evaporation and drift.

The tower structure 10 is equipped with a conventional mist or drifteliminator 150 at the top of the housing 12. The gas, having interactedwith the liquid as described above, leaves the tower structure throughan exhaust opening 152.

With further reference to FIG. 11, an alternative configuration of thetower structure 10 of the present invention includes the interactionunit 18, the rinse unit 130, and the drift eliminator 150 as describedabove. A rain chamber 160, located under the interaction unit 18,receives the excess contact liquid falling therefrom. The rain chamber160 has a sloping false bottom 162 for collecting the contact liquid anddirecting it to a drain 164, from which the contact liquid isrecirculated to the interaction unit 18 as described above. The rainchamber 160 has an inlet 166 for horizontally receiving the gas from theblower means 120. The gas, entering horizontally from the inlet 166contacts and interacts with the falling liquid in the rain chamber 160.This interaction advantageously tends to evenly distribute the gas flowas it is redirected upwardly to the interaction unit 18 for evenlydistributing the flow of gas within the interaction unit 18. The rainchamber 160 is particularly advantageous in the present invention forremoving excessive heat from the gas in scrubber applications, avoidinga need for high-temperature materials in the interaction unit 18. Also,the rain passes through the drain 176 into the contact liquid path 106.

With reference to FIG. 12, another alternative configuration of thetower structure 12 includes the interaction unit 18, the drifteliminator 150, and a rain chamber 182. The rain chamber 182, otherwisesimilar to the rain chamber 160, has a pair of inlets 184 at oppositesides thereof for receiving the gas at atmospheric pressure. Fan means186 at the exhaust opening 152 of the tower structure 10 produces aninduced draft of the gas upwardly in the housing 12 from the rainchamber 182. The configuration shown in FIG. 12 is exemplary of astraight cooling tower application of the present invention not havingthe rinse unit 130.

With reference to FIG. 13, another alternative configuration of thediffusion unit 90 provides a gas inlet duct 188 for directing the gasupwardly into the housing 12 through a bottom wall 189 thereof, aperforate diffusion sheet 190 being interposed between the inlet duct188 and the bottoms of the channels 100. As shown in FIG. 13, thedistribution sheet 190 is curved, forming a cylindrical segmentextending between the end segments 94, curving upwardly from the bottomwall 189 at opposite sides of the inlet duct 188. In this configurationof the diffusion unit 90, all of the gas must flow through two perforatesheets, the distribution sheet 190, and one of the screen strips 102,for further enhancing the uniformity of gas flow upwardly from thediffusin unit 90 into the interaction unit 18.

In the configuration of the diffusion unit 90 shown in FIG. 13, thedischarge manifold 98 is located external to the housing 12, being fedthrough a slot 192 in one of the side segments 92. A comb panel 194,sealingly connecting the troughts 96, partially covers the slot 192,being sealingly joined to the side segment 92 for directing the liquidinto the manifold without permitting escape of the gas into themanifold. Also, as an alternative of the V-shaped bottoms of the troughs96, the troughs 96 have flat bottoms for ease of fabrication of thesealed connection to the comb panel 194.

With reference to FIG. 15, an alternative modular form of theconstruction of the housing 12 provides modular units in the form oftrays 196 and 197 that slide horizontally into the housing 12. As shownin FIG. 15, the trays 196 and 197 enter the housing 12 from a pluralityof directions for facilitating accommodation of the various conduitdrains, etc. described above.

In another alternative of the modular construction of the housing 12,the side walls 14 and end walls 16 define a cavity within which themodules are stacked. Appropriate openings, such as opening 199, areprovided in the side walls 14 and end walls 16 for alignment withcorresponding module connections of the modules.

The present invention provides a highly versatile tower structure thatis efficient and cost-effective in a variety of applications. The highdegree of liquid turbulence with minimal restriction to gas flow in thegas liquid contact configurations described above permits the physicalsize of the tower structure 10 to be significantly reduced for a giventonage of capacity. It is expected, for example, that the structure 10,in a configuration measuring 4 ft. high, 4 ft. long, and 4 ft. wide,will have at least as much capacity as a conventional tower that is atleast 6 ft. high, 6 ft. long, and 5 ft. wide. The volume of the towerstructure 10 of the present invention is only 35% of the volume of theconventional tower in this comparison. Also, it is expected that thecost of manufacturing the tower structure 10 according to the presentinvention, per unit volume, is about the same as for conventional towerconstruction. Accordingly, it is expected that the tower structure 10 ofthe present invention is substantially less expensive to produce than aconventional tower of equivalent capacity. Even if the fabrication costsof the structure 10 are found to be somewaht higher per unit of volumethan for conventional construction, an overall cost savings is stillpossible unless those cost are in excess of three times the conventionalcosts per unit volume. Moreover, the costs for transporting andinstalling the structure 10 are substantially reduced below what isconventionally required, because the volume and load capacity of thetransporting means and the application situs are less than conventionalrequirements.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the interaction unit18, in a single basic configuration, is effective in a great variety ofapplications. This is true for at least the reason that theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4 is effective for cooling a liquid incontact with a gas, for heating a liquid not in contact with a gas, forcondensing a liquid, and for scrubbing impurities from the gas, inaddition to providing several useful combinations of these functions.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred versionsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gas liquid tower structure comprising:(a) aplurality of spaced parallel wall members in a chamber, facing surfacesof the wall members having a staggered array of deflector membersprotruding therefrom in parallel relation for producing rollingturbulence in a flow of gas moving between the wall members generallyperpendicular to the deflectors, wherein the space between facing wallmembers, including the deflector members, forms a series of convergingand diverging channel portions, each channel portion having an inlet andan outlet, the inlet of a diverging channel portion being offsetlaterally toward a first one of the wall members, the outlet of aconverging channel portion that is fed directly by the diverging channelportion being offset laterally toward the facing wall member, and (b)means for transporting a fluid through the chamber for interaction withthe gas,wherein at least some of the deflector members have first andsecond surfaces, the first surface for defining one side of a convergingchannel portion, the second surface for defining one side of a divergingchamber portion, the first and second surfaces meeting at a deflectorapex, the apex having an included angle within the deflector member, theangle being less than 180°, and wherein at least some of the deflectormembers are triangular in cross-section, one side thereof beinggenerally in a plane defining a segment of an associated wall memberfrom which the respective deflector member extends, the other two sidescomprising the first and second surfaces of the deflector member.
 2. Thestructure of claim 1 wherein at least some of the deflector members arepolygonal in cross-section, one side thereof being generally in a planedefining a segment of an associated wall member from which therespective deflector member extends.
 3. The structure of claim 1 whereinthe apex of one deflector member is located approximately opposite theintersection of the first surface and the wall member segment of afacing deflector member.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the angleis between about 60° and about 135°.
 5. The structure of claim 4 whereinthe angle is about 90°.
 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein at leastsome of the deflector members are hollow for transporting the fluidproximate the gas without contacting the gas for transferring heatbetween the gas and the fluid.
 7. The structure of clam 6 wherein atleast one of the wall members comprises opposite spaced apart sidemembers forming a cavity therebetween, the cavity being in communicationwith at least two of the hollow deflector members for permitting thefluid to flow between the deflector members within the wall member in adirection generally perpendicular to the deflector members in the planeof the wall member.
 8. The structure of claim 7 wherein at least one ofthe deflector members in communication with the cavity is formed as partof a corresponding side member.
 9. The structure of claim 7 furthercomprising wall spacing means between opposite sides of the wall memberand respective facing wall members, the spacing means preventingseparation of the side members resulting from fluid pressure within thewall member.
 10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the wall spacing meanscomprises a plurality of web members, the web members being disposed inparallel relation perpendicular to the wall members and to the deflectormembers.
 11. The structure of claim 9 wherein at least some of the webmembers have a low thermal resistance connection to an adjacent hollowdeflector member.
 12. The structure of claim 1 wherein the fluid is afirst liquid, the first liquid passing between the wall members forcontacting the gas.
 13. The structure of claim 12 wherein the chamberincludes an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas, the structurebeing adapted for transporting the first liquid generally from proximatethe outlet for the gas toward the inlet for the gas.
 14. A gas liquidtower structure for scrubbing impurities from a gas, the structurecomprising:(a) a chamber including an inlet for the gas and an outletfor the gas, the outlet being located above the inlet; (b) a pluralityof spaced vertically extending parallel wall members in a first portionof the chamber, facing surfaces of the wall members having a staggeredarray of horizontally extending deflector members protruding therefromfor producing rolling turbulence in a flow of gas moving upwardlybetween the wall members generally perpendicular to the deflectors,wherein at least some of the deflector members have first and secondsurfaces, the first surface for defining one side of a convergingchannel portion, the second surface for defining one side of a divergingchamber portion, the first and second surfaces meeting at a deflectorapex, the apex having an included angle within the deflector member, theangle being between about 60° and about 135°; (c) means for transportinga scrubbing liquid generally downwardly from proximate the tops of thewall members toward the bottoms of the wall members in contact with thegas for scrubbing the impurities from the gas, the transporting meanscomprising means for directing a sheet of the scrubbing liquid onto atleast some of the wall members along substantially the length of thewall members; (d) a slightly sloping partition member covering a secondportion of the chamber above the first portion, the partition memberhaving a lower perforated region for permitting the gas to passtherethrough, and an upper unperforated region for receiving andspreading a film of rinsing liquid and directing the rinsing liquid ontothe perforated portion; and (e) means for collecting excess liquid fromthe top surface of the partition member without requiring the liquid toflow through the perforated portion.
 15. A gas liquid tower structurecomprising:(a) a chamber including an inlet for the gas and an outletfor the gas, the outlet being located above the inlet; (b) a pluralityof spaced parallel wall members in the chamber, facing surfaces of thewall members having a staggered array of deflector members protrudingtherefrom in parallel relation for producing rolling turbulence in aflow of gas moving upwardly between the wall members generallyperpendicular to the deflectors, the wall members being disposedapproximately vertically, the deflector members extending approximatelyhorizontally along the wall members, wherein at least some of thedeflector members have first and second surfaces, the first surface fordefining one side of a converging channel portion, the second surfacefor defining one side of a diverging chamber portion, the first andsecond surfaces meeting at a deflector apex, the apex having an includedangle within the deflector member, the angle being between about 60° andabout 135°; (c) means for transporting a first liquid generallydownwardly from proximate the outlet for the gas toward the inlet forthe gas for interaction with the gas, the first liquid passing betweenthe wall members for contacting the gas; and (d) at least some of thedeflector members being hollow for transporting a second liquidproximate the gas without contacting the gas for transferring heatbetween the gas and the second liquid, wherein at least one of the wallmembers comprises opposite spaced apart side members forming a cavitytherebetween, the cavity being in communication with at least two of thehollow deflector members for permitting the fluid to flow between thedeflector members within the wall member in a direction generallyperpendicular to the deflector members in the plane of the wall member,and at least one of the deflector members in communication with thecavity is formed as part of a corresponding side member.
 16. A gasliquid tower structure comprising:(a) a chamber including an inlet forthe gas and an outlet for the gas, the outlet being located above theinlet; (b) a plurality of spaced vertically extending parallel wallmembers in the chamber, facing surfaces of the wall members having astaggered array of horizontally extending deflector members protrudingtherefrom for producing rolling turbulence in a flow of gas movingupwardly between the wall members generally perpendicular to thedeflectors; and (c) means for transporting a first liquid generallydownwardly from proximate the tops of the wall members toward thebottoms of the wall members in contact with the gas for interaction withthe gas,wherein at least some of the deflector members on facing wallmembers have first and second surfaces, the first surface for definingone side of a converging channel portion, the second surface fordefining one side of a diverging chamber portion, the first and secondsurfaces meeting at a deflector apex, the apex having an included anglewithin the deflector member, the angle being less than 180°.
 17. Thestructure of claim 16 wherein the angle is between about 60° and about135°.
 18. The structure of claim 17 wherein the angle is about 90°. 19.The structure of claim 16 wherein at least some of the deflector membersare triangular in cross-section, one side thereof being generally in aplane defining a segment of an associated wall member from which therespective deflector member extends, the other two sides comprising thefirst and second surfaces of the deflector member.
 20. The structure ofclaim 19 wherein the apex of one deflector member is locatedapproximately opposite the intersection of the first surface and thewall member segment of a facing deflector member.
 21. The structure ofclaim 16 wherein the deflector members on facing wall members have atotal lateral thickness perpendicular to the wall members and the wallmembers are spaced apart approximately the total lateral thicknesswhereby, in the absence of air flow, the liquid drops from the apex of adeflector member and impinges on a next lower deflector of the facingwall member.
 22. The structure of claim 16 wherein upwardly directed airflow is deflected laterally and upwardly by the first surface of thedeflector members, directly intersecting a film of the liquid flowinglaterally from the second surface for breaking the liquid into verysmall droplets, thereby generating a large surface area of the liquid incontact with the gas.
 23. The structure of claim 16 wherein the firstsurfaces of at least some of the deflector members are concavely curvedfor producing a rolling turbulence of the gas proximate the apex of eachof the deflector members having the curved surfaces.
 24. The structureof claim 23 wherein the second surface is horizontal and the associatedwall member includes a vertical portion extending upwardly therefrom.25. The structure of claim 16 wherein at least some of the deflectorshave concavely curved first and second surfaces.
 26. The structure ofclaim 25 wherein vertically adjacent deflectors, together with theconnecting wall member, form a continuous concave curvature extendingbetween the apexes of the deflector members.
 27. The structure of claim16 further comprising separator means for confining the gas between apair of facing wall members in a plurality of channel segments, therebypreventing lateral flow of the gas in a direction parallel to thedeflector members.
 28. The Structure of claim 27 wherein the separatormeans comprises a plurality of spaced apart web members, the web membersextending vertically between adjacent wall members and joining facingwall members along and between at least two each of the deflectormembers.
 29. The structure of claim 16 further comprising distributionmeans for admitting the first liquid proximate the tops of the wallmembers.
 30. The structure of claim 29 wherein the distribution meanscomprises:(a) means for directing a sheet of the liquid onto at leastsome of the wall members; and (b) manifold means for feeding thedirecting means.
 31. The structure of claim 30 wherein the directingmeans extends substantially the length of the tops of the wall membersfor producing the sheet of liquid substantially over the full length ofthe sides of the wall members.
 32. The structure of claim 30 wherein thewall members include a first configuration and a second configuration,the wall members of the first configuration having uppermost deflectormembers on opposite sides thereof, the uppermost deflector members beinglocated vertically above the highest deflector members of the facingwall members, and wherein the directing means is connected for directinga sheet of the liquid to each side of the wall members of the firstconfiguration.
 33. The structure of claim 30 wherein the directing meanscomprises:(a) a V-shaped member having an elongate opening at the bottomfor receiving the top of a wall member; and (b) means for spacing thesides of the opening a predetermined distance away from the wall member.34. The structure of claim 33 wherein the spacing means of the directingmeans comprises a plurality of slot spacer members, each slot spacermember contacting opposite sides of the opening and extending over thetop of the wall member for support thereby, the slot spacer membersbeing disposed at intervals along the wall member.
 35. The structure ofclaim 30 further comprising a manifold system for directing the liquidinto the directing means in a parallel-connected grid configuration forequalizing the pressure distribution of the liquid from the directingmeans.
 36. The structure of claim 16 further comprising diffusion meansfor evenly distributing the flow of gas between wall members,comprising:(a) a perforated sheet forming a gas diffusion surface; and(b) means for collecting liquid that falls from the bottom of thechamber, substantially none of the liquid passing through the perforatedsheet.
 37. The structure of claim 36 wherein the gas diffusion surfaceis inclined for directing the liquid laterally from the flow of gas. 38.The structure of claim 36 including blower means for feeding the gas tothe diffuser means.
 39. The tower structure of claim 16 wherein thechamber is a main chamber, the wall members being in a first portionthereof, the structure further comprising:(a) a lower chamber having aside entrance for the gas; and (b) means for permitting liquid from themain chamber to fall through the lower chamber; and (c) means forcellecting the liquid that falls through to the bottom of the lowerchamber.
 40. The tower structure of claim 39 further comprising fanmembers for drawing the gas into the main chamber from the lowerchamber.
 41. A gas liquid tower structure comprising:(a) a chamberincluding an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas, the outletbeing located above the inlet; (b) a plurality of spaced verticallyextending parallel wall members in a first portion of the chamber,facing surfaces of the wall members having a staggered array ofhorizontally extending deflector members protruding therefrom forproducing rolling turbulence in a flow of gas moving upwardly betweenthe wall members generally perpendicular to the deflectors; (c) meansfor transporting a first liquid generally downwardly from proximate thetops of the wall members toward the bottoms of the wall members incontact with the gas for interaction with the gas; (d) diffusion meansfor evenly distributing the flow of gas between the wall members,comprising:(i) a second chamber portion, the second chamber portionhaving a main portion below the first chamber portion and an inletportion horizontally displaced from the main portion, the inlet portionhaving an inlet for admitting the gas horizontally therein; (ii) a firstseries of diverging vertically oriented horizontal spreader vanes in theinlet chamber portion and extending from proximate the inlet toproximate the main chamber portion for horizontally spreading ahorizontal flow of the gas from the inlet; and (iii) a second series ofvertically cupped horizontally oriented deflection vanes in the mainchamber portion for redirecting the horizontal gas flow to a verticaldirection, the cupped deflection vanes being spaced apart diagonallyfrom proximate the top of the horizontal vanes downwardly to the bottomof the main chamber portion proximate a side thereof opposiste thehorizontal vanes.
 42. A gas liquid tower structure comprising:(a) achamber including an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas, theoutlet being located above the inlet; (b) a plurality of spacedvertically extending parallel wall members in the chamber, facingsurfaces of the wall members having a staggered array of horizontallyextending deflector members protruding therefrom for producing rollingturbulence in a flow of gas moving upwardly between the wall membersgenerally perpendicular to the deflectors; (c) means for transporting afirst liquid generally downwardly from proximate the tops of the wallmembers toward the bottoms of the wall members in contact with the gasfor interaction with the gas; (d) diffusion means for evenlydistributing the flow of gas between wall members, comprising aperforated sheet forming a gas diffusion surface; and (e) means forcollecting liquid that falls from the bottom of the chamber,substantially none of the liquid passing through the perforated sheet,comprising:(i) a plurality of vertically oriented channels orientedtransversely to the wall members; and (ii) a deflector strip locatedabove each channel for directing falling liquid laterally from thechannel and mixing the gas therewith, the bottoms of the channelsforming a sealed connection with pan means for collecting the liquidwithout permitting contact between the liquid and the perforated sheet.43. The structure of claim 42 wherein the pan means comprises aplurality of U-shaped members forming the channels, the structurefurther comprising manifold means for collecting the liquid from theU-shaped members.
 44. A gas liquid tower structure comprising:(a) achamber including an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas, theoutlet being located above the inlet; (b) a plurality of spacedvertically extending parallel wall members in a first portion of thechamber, facing surfaces of the wall members having a staggered array ofhorizontally extending deflector members protruding therefrom forproducing rolling turbulence in a flow of gas moving upwardly betweenthe wall members generally perpendicular to the deflectors; (c) meansfor transporting a first liquid generally downwardly from proximate thetops of the wall members toward the bottoms of the wall members incontact with the gas for scrubbing impurities from the gas; (d) aslightly sloping partition member covering a second portion of thechamber above the first portion, the partition member having a lowerperforated region for permitting the gas to pass therethrough, and anupper unperforated region for receiving and spreading a film of rinsingliquid and directing the rinsing liquid onto the perforated portion; and(e) means for collecting excess liquid from the top surface of thepartition member without requiring the liquid to flow through theperforated portion.
 45. The tower structure of claim 44 wherein thescrubbing fluid contains a soap-like material for generating a largemultiplicity of bubbles that provide a very large surface area in whichthe gaps impinges for improving the ability of the fluid to collect theimpurities from the gas
 46. A gas liquid tower structure comprising:(a)a chamber including an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the gas, theoutlet being located above the inlet; (b) a plurality of spacedvertically extending parallel wall members in the chamber, facingsurfaces of the wall members having a staggered array of horizontallyextending deflector members protruding therefrom for producing rollingturbulence in a flow of gas moving upwardly between the wall membersgenerally perpendicular to the deflectors; (c) means for transporting afirst liquid generally downwardly from proximate the tops of the wallmembers toward the bottoms of the wall members in contact with the gasfor interacting with the gas; (d) diffusion means for evenlydistributing the flow of gas between wall members, comprising:(i) aplurality of vertically oriented channels oriented transversely to thewall members; and (ii) a perforated strip sealingly connected to each ofthe vertically oriented channels, each strip forming a gas diffusionsurface; and (e) means for collecting liquid that falls from the bottomof the chamber, substantially none of the liquid passing through thevertically oriented channels, comprising:(i) each of the perforatedstrips froming a deflector member located above each channel fordirecting falling liquid laterally from the channel and mixing the gastherewith; and (ii) pan means forming a sealed connection with thebottoms of the channels for collecting the liquid between the channels.47. The structure of claim 46 wherein the pan means comprises aplurality of U-shaped members forming the channels, the structurefurther comprising manifold means for collecting the liquid from theU-shaped members.
 48. The structure of claim 46 wherein the diffusionmeans further comprises a perforate sheet forming a second diffusionsurface below the channels, the liquid being excluded from the perforatesheet by the pan means.
 49. The structure of claim 46 wherein at leastsome of the perforate strips are formed to have an inverted V-shapedcross section for symmetrically deflecting the liquid to opposite sidesof the channels.
 50. The structure of claim 46 wherein at least some ofthe perforate strips are provided with a total cross-sectional area ofperforations that is approximately equal to a plan cross-sectional areaof the associated channel.